FREEHOLD – Investigators have charged a Freehold man with making online threats, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Ronald Charles, 54, of Freehold, is charged with second degree False Public Alarm and fourth degree Contempt.
On Monday, December 3, 2018, an individual utilizing the Twitter handle @NJSuxx posted two alarming text messages threatening law enforcement. An investigation revealed that the Twitter account was associated with Ronald Charles. Further investigation revealed that Charles contacted a local media outlet to take out an advertisement making similar threats. Pursuant to a prior Court Order, Charles is not allowed to utilize the internet.
Charles is scheduled to have his First Appearance and Detention Hearing on Wednesday December 12, at 9 a.m., in Superior Court before Judge James J. McGann.
In 2016, Prosecutor Gramiccioni with assistance from former State Senator Jennifer Beck and other state legislators was integral in amending the False Public Alarm statute. The amendment increased the penalties for the crime of False Public Alarm when there is the report of an impending bomb, hostage situation, a person is armed with a deadly weapon or there is any other incident that elicits an immediate or heightened response by law enforcement or emergency services.
The case has been assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Dugan.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
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